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longer existed for endangered Colorado River fishes in the lower basin, thus the project encompassed only those areas known presently to harbor endangered Colorado River fishes (Archer et al. 1980, Archer 1982, Miller et al. 1,982). Fishery resource managers knowledgeable of existing lower basin conditions believed that recovery potential for Colorado squawfish was present (Minckley and Clarkson 1979, Johnson and Rinne 1982, Johnson 1985a). This is evidenced by the fact that plans were made to reintroduce squawfish into the upper Salt River, Arizona in 1978. The action was never carried through, however, due to the political arena relied upon for resolving issues concerning endangered species and water use in the Southwest. The precedent for recovery of endangered Colorado River fishes was set when in 1981 the unlisted, but endangered, razorback sucker (Xyrauchen texanus) was reintroduced into the Gila River drainage, Arizona under a 10 year agreement between USFWS and Arizona Game and Fish Department (AGFD) (Minckley 1983, Johnson 1985a, Brooks and Marsh 1985, Brooks 1986, Brooks et al. In prep.). Also in 1982, a recovery program was begun for the Gila topminnow, listed as endangered (USFWS i983, Brooks 1985). The topminnow, a poeciliid general in its habitat requirements and occurring naturally in small isolated spring systems (Minckley 1973, USF'6J5 1983), proved to be an ideal test case for introduction of an endangered species without interruption of existing or anticipated water uses (USFWS 1983). Reintroduction and monitoring of Colorado squawfish in the Salt and Verde rivers, Arizona was begun in 1985 (Johnson -2-